Pallet support system

ABSTRACT

A device for supporting and stacking pallets is formed from a relatively small number of components which are removably connected to each other and which can be readily assembled into an operating configuration or disassembled into its individual components. The device, in its assembled configuration, includes channels for removably receiving advertising material or other displays around the outer perimeter of the assembled configuration. The advertising or displays around the perimeter of the device conceal space within the device and the pallet supporting the merchandise on display. The assembled configuration of the device is arranged so that the merchandise supported by the device is at a height to attract the attention of potential consumers. The advertising material around the perimeter of the assembled device, in addition to concealing the space within the device, also serves to attract the attention of potential consumers to the displayed merchandise.

The present patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/627,908, filed on Oct. 21, 2011, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119 (e).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application is directed to an improved pallet supporting/stacking system formed from modular components for ease in both assembling and disassembling the pallet supporting structure.

In supermarkets, warehouses, and so-called big box stores, it is common to see pallets loaded with merchandise stacked atop each other. The stacked pallets are generally unseemly in appearance, and do not present the merchandise in a customer friendly manner. Moreover, in many instances, stacked pallets provide an opportunity for advertising merchandise which is under utilized by the retailer.

Known pallet supporting, stacking and pallet advertising devices are exemplified by the following published United States patent applications, issued United States patents, and publications: US2010/0147738; US2009/0057191; US2005/0056758; U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,865; U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,627; U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,187; U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,419; U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,501; U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,360; U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,830; U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,666; U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,063; U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,471; U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,604; U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,376; U.S. Pat. No. 3,371,816; U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,656; U.S. Pat. No. 2,942,827; U.S. Pat. No. 2,579,685; U.S. Pat. No. 2,386,306; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,327,552; and Trinity LLC (June, 2011).

The devices disclosed in the aforementioned published patent applications and issued patents are complicated structures requiring numerous components to be assembled together.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a simple modular construction for a pallet supporting system including only a small number of components which are easily assembled and disassembled, and which, in an assembled state, present both the merchandise and advertising material in a user friendly manner.

Other objects, advantages and improvements of the pallet supporting system in accordance with the present invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the following description thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a modular pallet supporting and stacking system formed from a small number of components which are easily assembled into an operating supporting system or disassembled into its individual components, as desired.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the components of the pallet supporting/stacking system can be quickly assembled into its operating position by removably fitting the pieces together, without the need to employ tools, screws or bolts during the assembly process. The components include four corner pieces having lower slots for receiving four channel pieces to assemble the structure into a closed square or rectangular configuration having an opened top. The four corner pieces also include upper slots for receiving four generally triangular corner shelf pieces for supporting the corners of a pallet at a predetermined height above the floor or other supporting surface. Each corner piece can include more than a single shelf supporting slot so that the height of the shelf above the bottom of the pallet supporting structure is selectively adjustable. Because the components of the assembled device are removably connected to each other, the device can be easily assembled into its operative configuration, and easily disassembled into its individual components.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the outer portions of the corner pieces and the connecting channels each include channels or grooves for accommodating advertising or display materials removably received therein. This serves a dual purpose-namely, providing attractive advertisements or displays in close proximity to the merchandise on the pallet to attract consumer attention thereto, and concealing the bottom portion of the pallet and the assembled pallet supporting device from the view of the consuming public.

The pallet support structure is arranged to maintain the pallets at a predetermined height above the ground so as to display the merchandise generally at the eye level of the consumer so as to directly focus the attention of the consumer on the displayed merchandise. As noted above, the corner pieces of the assembled structure can include means for selectively adjusting the height at which the pallet is supported, and thus the height at which the merchandise on the pallet is displayed.

In a further aspect of the invention, an upwardly extending arm or pole can be mounted to the outer surface of one or more of the corner portions of the pallet supporting structure in its assembled condition. The upwardly extending arm can provide means for holding coupons or informational material relating to the merchandise on display, or other materials, which will further attract consumer attention to the displayed merchandise.

Because the corner shelves are located below the opened top of the assembled pallet supporting device, the pallets received on the four corner supporting shelves are securely retained in a stable position, with a relatively low center of gravity, by the corner pieces, the corner shelves, and the lower channels connecting the corner pieces. As such, the pallet supported in the assembled device is not capable of lateral movement which minimizes the possibility that the pallet will topple from the assembled pallet supporting structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the pallet supporting and stacking device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the pallet supporting and stacking device shown in FIG. 1 in its assembled position;

FIG. 3 illustrates the pallet supporting and stacking device shown in FIG. 2 in which a pallet and merchandise supported on the pallet is being loaded into the assembled device;

FIG. 4 illustrates the pallet supporting and stacking device shown in FIG. 3 supporting the pallet and merchandise which is fully received within the device, and advertising material being mounted along the outer sides of the assembled device;

FIG. 5 illustrates the pallet supporting and stacking device and advertising material shown in FIG. 4 in which the advertising material has been lowered to conceal the pallet and the pallet supporting and stacking device, and the merchandise on the pallet is fully displayed at a predetermined height to attract the attention of potential purchasers;

FIG. 6 illustrates the assembled pallet supporting and stacking structure shown in FIG. 5 in which the advertising material is removed to illustrate the grooves and channels on the outer surfaces of the assembled device for removeably receiving the advertising materials, and an arm upwardly extending from the upper portion of one of the corners of the assembled device; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a modified embodiment of the pallet supporting and stacking device, in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 of the drawing illustrates an exploded view of the pallet support/stacking structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Four corner pieces, each designated by reference numeral 2, are removeably connected to each other by four lower slats, each designated by reference numeral 4. Each slat has two inwardly directed projections, designated by reference numeral 6, which are adapted to be removeably received within lower slots or openings, designated by reference numeral 8, in the adjacent corner pieces 2, for connecting the corner pieces together to form a closed structure as best illustrated by FIG. 2.

Each corner piece 2 also includes upper slots or openings, designated by reference numeral 10, for removably receiving a generally triangular shaped tray, designated by reference numeral 12. Each tray includes at least two projections, designated by reference numeral 14, which are adapted to be received within the upper slots 10 or openings in each of the corner pieces 2.

The corner pieces are integrally formed from two generally perpendicular walls. Each wall defines at least one of the upper slots or openings 10 and at least one of the lower slots or openings 8.

As best illustrated by FIG. 6, and as will be discussed herein, each lower slat 4 defines an outwardly facing longitudinally extending groove or channel, while each corner piece 2 defines an upwardly extending outer vertical groove or channel at the vertex of the corner piece. These channels provide means for removeably receiving advertising material or other graphics to conceal the assembled pallet supporting/stacking structure, and to provide displays or advertising to attract the attention of potential consumers to the merchandise on the pallets supported by the assembled pallet supporting/stacking structure.

FIG. 2 illustrates the pallet supporting/stacking structure of FIG. 1 in its assembled configuration. The assembly of the structure from the individual components as illustrated by FIG. 1 into the assembled structure as illustrated by FIG. 2 does not require any special tools, screws or bolts. Instead, each component is designed to be fitted into other components to form the assembled unit. As such, the pallet support/stacking device can be readily assembled into its operative position as illustrated by FIG. 2, and readily disassembled into its individual components as illustrated by FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the assembled device of FIG. 2 in which a pallet designated by reference numeral 16, supporting merchandise designated by reference numeral 18, is being lowered into the assembled pallet supporting/stacking device. The pallet 16 is lowered until corners of the pallet are received on the four trays 12, which then support the pallet and the merchandise at a predetermined height above the bottom of the assembled device. This height is determined by the upper slots 10 in the corner pieces 2 which support the trays 12. The height is selected so that when the pallet is fully received within the device and the corners of the pallet are supported by the trays 12, the merchandise supported by the pallet extends above the device and is visible to potential consumers, while the pallet itself is substantially hidden from view by the top portion of the assembled device, as best illustrated by FIG. 6. It is apparent that the configuration of the pallet matches the configuration of the assembled pallet supporting/stacking device. It is also apparent that the shape of the assembled device can be varied by varying the length of the opposed slats 4 to accommodate pallets of different configurations (e.g., square, rectangular).

FIG. 4 illustrates the assembled pallet supporting/stacking structure after the pallet with merchandise is fully received therein (as shown by FIG. 6), and advertising or display panels are being mounted to the outer sides of the assembled device. As noted above, each corner piece 2 includes an outer vertically extending groove or channel as designated by reference numeral 20 in FIG. 6, and each slat 4 includes an outer longitudinal extending channel or groove as designated by reference numeral 22 in FIG. 6. The vertical channel 20 and the longitudinal channel 22 in the assembled device provide means for removably receiving panels of advertising, graphics, or other printed materials, as designated by reference numeral 24 in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows the advertising material as it is being slid down the outer sides of the assembled device, guided by the vertical channels in the corner pieces and received in the longitudinal channels in the lower slats.

FIG. 5 illustrates the assembled device in which the advertising panels 24 have been moved into their fully lowered position relative to the assembled pallet supporting/stacking device. In this position, the assembled device and all or most of the supporting pallet are concealed from view, and only the merchandise supported by the pallet is visible to potential consumers. The merchandise is displayed at a predetermined height to attract the attention of consumers, and the attraction is enhanced by the advertising or graphics directly below the displayed merchandise.

It is apparent that the advertising or graphic panels 24 serve several functions. They conceal the pallet supporting/stacking structure and the pallet from view, and also provide means for advertising the merchandise in close proximity to the merchandise itself. Moreover, the hollow space between the pallet and the bottom of the assembled pallet supporting/stacking device, when the pallet is supported by the device as illustrated by FIG. 6, can be utilized to store additional merchandise, or other objects or materials, and the advertising or graphic panels 24, when in their fully recessed operating position as illustrated by FIG. 5, conceal the materials or objects stored within such internal space.

Since the advertising or graphic panels 24 are removably received in the channels on the outer sides of the assembled device, they may be replaced by different advertising or graphic materials, as may be desired.

FIG. 7 illustrates a slightly modified embodiment of the pallet supporting/stacking device in accordance with the present invention. In the modified embodiment, each corner piece 2 includes two upper slots or openings 10 for supporting the trays 12 at different levels. In this manner, the height at which a pallet is supported on the trays is selectively adjustable. Accordingly, thicker pallets can be supported at the lower height to conceal the pallets. Similarly, the extent to which the merchandise on the pallet extends above the top of the assembled device can be selectively adjusted. Although FIG. 7 illustrates two sets of upper slots 10 at two different heights, any number of different sets of slots at different heights can be provided on the corner pieces 2 so as to increase the range of height adjustment selectively available to the retailer.

It is apparent from the above description that the pallet supporting and stacking device in accordance with the present invention is advantageous in numerous respects. As discussed, it provides a device which is easy to assemble and disassemble, and does not require the use of tools, bolts or screws. The assembled device provides a structure for displaying merchandise at a height which is user friendly to a consumer, and conceals unsightly supporting pallets. Moreover, the assembled device itself is concealed by attractive advertising or graphic material, which itself enhances the attraction of potential consumers to the merchandise supported by the assembled device.

FIG. 6 also discloses a further feature of the pallet supporting and stacking device in accordance with the present invention. A generally vertically upstanding arm, designated by reference numeral 26, extends upwardly from top of one of the corner pieces of the assembled device. The upwardly extending arm can be utilized as a holder for additional material, as for example flyers, instruction sheets, or coupons relating to the displayed merchandise. Moreover, the upwardly extending arm and the material held by the arm further serves to attract potential consumers to the displayed merchandise. Although FIG. 6 discloses only a single arm extending upwardly from the assembled device, it is clear that a plurality of arms can be mounted to the device, at, for example, each of the corners, or other locations which preferably will not obstruct the consumers view of the merchandise.

In a modified embodiment of the invention, the vertical grooves or channels can be eliminated by connecting together four panels of advertising material to form a closed configuration matching the shape of the assembled pallet supporting device. The closed configuration of the connected panels will have an opened top and opened bottom so that it can be slid around the outside of the assembled pallet support device. The bottom of each of the panels will be received in the lower longitudinal grooves or channels of the corner elements, but the need to provide vertical grooves or panels on the corner elements of the assembled pallet supporting device will be eliminated as a result of the assembled, self supporting panels of advertising surrounding the assembled pallet supporting device.

Other objects, advantages and application of the pallet supporting/stacking device within the scope and spirit of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description herein. Accordingly, the description of the best modes for carrying out the invention discussed herein is intended to be illustrative only, and not restrictive of the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the following claims and all equivalents thereto. 

1. A pallet supporting device comprising: four corner elements removably connected to each other, four connecting elements adapted for removably connecting two adjacent said corner elements to each other in a closed configuration, and pallet supporting means defined in each of said corner elements.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said corner element defines at least a first opening for receiving at least one projection extending from one said connecting element for removably connecting together two said adjacent corner elements.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pallet supporting means includes at least a second opening defined in each said corner element, said second opening defined above said first opening in each said corner element.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 3, including at least one tray removably received within said second opening in each said corner element, said tray adapted to support a pallet thereon.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein each said tray defines at least one projection extending therefrom, said projection adapted to be removably received in said second opening in each said corner element.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein a third opening is defined in each said corner element above said second opening.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 6, including at least one tray removably received within said second or third opening for selectively adjusting the height of said tray relative to said corner element.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said corner elements defines a substantially vertically extending outer groove or channel, and at least one of said connecting elements defines a substantially longitudinally extending outer groove or channel.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said vertically extending groove or channel and said longitudinally extending groove or channel define guides for removably receiving a panel therein.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said corner elements defines a substantially longitudinally extending outer groove or channel.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 1, including at least one arm extending from at least one said corner element.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least one arm is adapted to received printed materials including advertisements.
 13. A pallet supporting device comprising: four corner elements removably connected to each other, each said corner element defining a substantially vertical outer groove or channel; four connecting elements, each said connecting element removably connecting two adjacent said corner elements, each said connecting element defining a substantially longitudinally extending outer groove or channel; and four pallet supporting elements, each of said pallet supporting elements removably connected to a different one of said corner elements.
 14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said vertical and longitudinal grooves or channels are arranged to receive panels therein, including panels containing advertisements, for concealing an interior space defined within said pallet supporting device.
 15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said vertical and longitudinal grooves or channels are arranged to conceal both said interior space defined within said pallet supporting device and at least a portion of a pallet supported on said pallet supporting device when said panels are fully received within said vertical and longitudinal grooves or channels.
 16. The device as claimed in claim 13, including means for selectively adjusting the height of said pallet supporting elements relative to said corner elements.
 17. The device as claimed in claim 13, including an arm extending upwardly from at least one said corner element, said arm adapted to removably receive printed materials.
 18. A method of supporting a pallet and providing advertising for merchandise displayed on said pallet, the steps of said method comprising: removably connecting four corner elements together by four connecting elements to define a closed configuration, providing each said corner element with a pallet supporting element, providing each said connecting element with an outer substantially longitudinal groove or channel, providing each said corner element with an outer substantially vertical groove or channel, supporting a pallet on said pallet supporting elements, and removably receiving a panel, including a panel containing printed material, in said longitudinal and vertical grooves or channels.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 18, including the step of arranging said vertical and longitudinal grooves and channels such that said panel received therein conceals an interior space defined within an assembled pallet supporting device provided by said corner elements and said connecting elements.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 19, including the step of providing an arm extending from at least one of said corner elements, said arm adapted for holding printed material including advertising material in addition to the advertising material contained on said panels received within said longitudinal and vertical grooves or channels. 